The people of Fukuoka are open, unpretentious, and unlike the stereotypical image of the meticulous Japanese, happy to let loose. The moment you arrive in Fukuoka to attend the 2006 IPSA World Congress in early July, the city will sweep you up in the excitement of its most famous festival, Hakata Gion Yamakasa. The city has welcomed the arrival of summer for the last 760 years with this 15-day long festival, which culminates on July 15th in the powerful portable shrine race. The race begins at daybreak, as hundreds of men rush with beautifully decorated floats each weighing over a ton on their shoulders, with all of Fukuoka cheering them on by throwing water on the racers' hot bodies. This bustling celebration of summer epitomizes what has long been considered the Fukuoka spirit.